Smart phone ad hoc network

Smart Phone Ad hoc Networks (SPANs) leverage the existing hardware (primarily Bluetooth and Wi-Fi) in commercially available smart phones to create peer-to-peer networks without relying on cellular carrier networks, wireless access points, or traditional network infrastructure. SPANs differ from traditional hub and spoke networks, such as Wi-Fi Direct, in that they support multi-hop relays and there is no notion of a group leader so peers can join and leave at will without destroying the network.

Features

• Capable of going off-grid and enabling peer-to-peer communications without relying on cellular carrier networks, wireless access points, or traditional network infrastructure.
• Optional Internet access through gateway devices, such as mobile hotspots in the mesh.
• Optional stationary or portable infrastructure such as routers, mesh extenders, or other non-phone hardware.
• Leverage the devices that people carry on their person and use everyday.
• Primarily use Bluetooth and Wi-Fi since the cellular spectrum is licensed and controlled by cellular providers and FCC regulations.
• Set up and tear down are on-demand. Join and leave at will.
• Routing protocol may be implemented at the Network Layer or Link Layer.
• Often requires rooting a device and making modifications to the operating system, kernel, or drivers.
• May result in profit loss by cellular carriers.

Uses Cases

• Developing nations where network infrastructure doesn't exist.
• Protests where government entities monitor or disable network infrastructure.
• Natural disasters or terrorist incidents where existing network infrastructure is overloaded, destroyed, or compromised.
• Temporary Large-scale events such as festivals where huge scale is needed for short period of time

Projects

• The SPAN Project
• The Serval Project
• Commotion Wireless
• FireChat
• MapMe.io
• Locayt

Device Manufacturer Support

• iOS Multipeer Connectivity Framework^[1]

Impact

• in Iraq following government restrictions on internet use, users use the technology to communicate^[2][3]
• Hong Kong Protests in China used Firechat to communicate^[4]

^[5]

• Leaders of Anti-government protests in Russia in December 2014 urged their followers to install firechat^[6]

See also

• Mobile ad hoc network
• Wireless ad hoc network
• Wireless mesh network

References

1. Bonnington, Christina. "This Little-Known iOS Feature Will Change the Way We Connect". Wired. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
2. Kuchler, Hannah; Kerr, Simon (22 June 2014). "‘Private internet’ FireChat app grows in popularity in Iraq". Financial Times. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
3. Hern, Alex. "Firechat updates as 40,000 Iraqis download 'mesh' chat app in censored Baghdad". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
4. Cohen, Noam. "Hong Kong Protests Propel FireChat Phone-to-Phone App". http://www.nytimes.com. New York Times. Retrieved 1 January 2015. External link in |website= (help)
5. Shevardnadze, Sophie. "We’ve laid foundation to creation of completely new internet - FireChat developer". http://rt.com. Russia Today. Retrieved 1 January 2015. External link in |website= (help)
6. Milian, Mark. "Russians Are Organizing Against Putin Using FireChat Messaging App". http://www.bloomberg.com. Bloomberg. Retrieved 1 January 2015. External link in |website= (help)